Is essential HVAC maintenance part of your property’s upkeep schedule? Maintaining an HVAC system is quick, easy, and cheap to do. Failing to properly look after your system can result in increased energy bills and expensive repairs later down the line.
While many upkeep tasks can be done on your own, some require a professional. Below, we go through 10 tips that will help you do an HVAC service yourself.
1. Test Your AC Regularly
Make sure you do regular tests on your AC in winter. This means that if there is a problem, you can call an engineer at a non-peak time to fix it. Waiting until summer will mean long waiting times, as it is when everyone puts the aircon back on and finds problems.
Turn it on and set it a few degrees below the ambient room temperature. This will tell you if it has the ability to cool. Listen for any noises, bangs, or cranking, and check it is cooling evenly.
2. Change the Filters
Filters are an essential part of your HVAC unit. They clean air moving through the system, removing dust, dirt, and allergens. Filters that are not changed can allow these pollutants into your home, and in some extreme cases, even enhance poor air quality.
In addition, blocked and clogged filters decrease the efficiency of your system. They will result in higher energy bills, and divert heat or cooling air to the wrong parts. Changing a filter is an easy and inexpensive task, which should be done at least every 3 months.
3. Clean the Condenser or Heat Pump
Air conditioners and heat pumps that are situated outside have more exposure to dirt, debris, and detritus from the environment. This means they get clogged and blocked quicker, so require cleaning to work efficiently. Cleaning also reduces the likelihood of damage being caused to any internal parts.
Clean debris from the tops and sides of the unit. Cut back any foliage that may be impeding the airflow to the unit, and removed any items of garden furniture that may be doing the same. Then hose down the unit, making sure to clean any dirt from the fins thoroughly.
4. Straighten Bent Fins
Bent fins on a unit can cause problems with the efficiency of the system. If bent, they are not channeling the air in the correct manner, meaning your system will have to work overtime. This will result in increased energy bills for you.
Straightening bent fins can be done yourself, but it is tricky. Ideally, you need a specialist comb that will push them back into place. Most HVAC repair specialists will have this, so call a professional to ensure the job is done properly.
5. Clean the Drain Lines
As well as cooling your household, an air conditioner takes moisture from the air. This passes along drain lines to the outside of your home. These drain lines can get clogged with dirt, as can the drain itself that the lines fill into.
The drain line needs cleaning, as any problems with it can result in moisture making its way into your property. This will manifest as stains on walls, furniture, and turn into mold. Mold can cause health and breathing difficulties in occupants of the house.
Drain lines can be cleaned with a cloth. Rinse the line with a mix of water and vinegar, then clear away any mold formed with pure vinegar. Make sure the drain that the lines filter into is not clogged.
6. Get a New Controller
Updating to a new controller or thermostat can not only help you with maintenance but also reduce your energy bills. They allow you to monitor your usage, and can even alert you when a filter needs cleaning. Some can even detect poor indoor air quality and notify you of performance problems.
Setting times, and having the ability to turn heating on and off with a smart controller saves energy. In addition, it can make your system last longer. As it is not working more than it should be, maintenance becomes less, saving even more money.
7. Use Fans
Installing fans in addition to an AC unit may seem counterproductive. However, fans are a small addition that can greatly enhance the capability of your air conditioning.
Not only do fans take some of the pressure from your unit, but they also push air around the room.
8. Keep the Unit in Shade
HVAC units do not work well under excess heat. In fact, direct sunlight and exposure can result in decreased efficiency and a higher likelihood of damaged parts. Because of this, it pays to keep them in the shade.
If you are just installing a unit, particularly one that has outdoor heat pumps and condensers, then choose their location carefully. Many people may not have a choice if they are in an apartment with a window unit, so you should try to cover the condenser or heat pump with something to block sunlight. If you are indoors, you should use curtains and blinds to block excess heat from the unit.
9. Check Your Home Insulation
Insulation keeps your home temperate. Cold air and heat are kept in, making the temperature of your property easier to regulate. If you lack insulation, heat and cool air can escape, meaning your HVAC system has to work harder and more frequently.
10. Schedule Regular HVAC Service Professional Maintenance
While a lot of maintenance can be done yourself, such as filter replacement and external cleaning, a professional should look over your unit at least once or twice a year. They have access to specialist equipment and can spot signs of a problem before they occur.
Finding a Professional Service
With regular maintenance done by yourself and a less frequent HVAC service done by a professional, your system will remain energy efficient and free from repairs. Book both into your schedule.
If you are looking for a trusted HVAC specialist in the Rockwall area, then you need All Care Comfort Solutions. We have a team of reliable technicians, ready to respond to any problems, big or small. Contact us today for a quick and comprehensive evaluation of all your HVAC needs.